Assiniboine River

Canada: Intense water deficits to persist in northern QC

Canada: Intense water deficits to persist in northern QC

Through January 2020 nearly normal conditions are forecast for most major metropolitan areas with moderate surpluses around Montreal and deficits near Regina, Saskatchewan. Exceptional deficits will persist in a vast portion of central and northern Quebec and large blocks in northern Manitoba and Alberta. Surpluses are expected in the southern Columbia Mountains of British Columbia.

Canada: Water deficits will persist in northern QC, MB, AB

Canada: Water deficits will persist in northern QC, MB, AB

The forecast through November indicates some moderate water deficits around Montreal and between Toronto and Ottawa, and severe deficits southeast of Winnipeg. A vast arc of exceptional deficit will persist in northern Quebec from Lake Mistassini to the province’s eastern border. Intense deficits will also persist in central and northeastern Manitoba and central and northwestern Alberta. Surpluses are forecast from north-central Alberta into northwestern Manitoba.

Canada: Intense water deficits to retreat from Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed

Canada: Intense water deficits to retreat from Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed

The forecast through June indicates that exceptional deficits will retreat from Quebec’s Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed; surpluses in Northern Ontario will transition to deficit; and deficits in the Middle Reaches of the Athabasca River Watershed in Alberta will become exceptional. Primarily moderate deficits are forecast across southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Intense surpluses will emerge in the Columbia River Basin in British Columbia, and deficits near Vancouver will persist but downgrade.

Canada: Water deficits forecast to persist in Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed

Canada: Water deficits forecast to persist in Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed

The major changes forecast through May are that exceptional water deficits will shrink in Quebec though large pockets will persist, and widespread surpluses in Northern Ontario will transition to deficit. As for major population areas, intense deficits are forecast for Southern Ontario and through southern Quebec; near Vancouver, British Columbia; near Winnipeg, Manitoba; and surrounding Regina, Saskatchewan. Deficits of varying intensity are forecast in many parts of the country. In British Columbia, surpluses will increase in the southeast and transition to deficit in the southwest.